Nixon+and+the+Cold+War-Section+5

=How did Richard Nixon change Cold War diplomacy during his presidency?= Because as a presidential candidate, Nixon promised to end U.S military involvement in the Vietnam War. He Redefined American foreign policy, and also was Detente with the Soviet Union. [|More in depth]

While in office, Nixon reshaped the way the U.S approached the world. Before Nixon most of the Leaders before have all shared a common Cold War ideology. So therefore, Nixon had a different approach. Nixon and Henry Kissinger, Nixon leading adviser on national security and international affairs, both altered the cold war policy! At first, people thought they seemed improbable...and in some presidential campaigns, they had actually worked against each other! If foreign Affairs, they both embraced the idea of Realpolitik, which means " real politics". According to that political goals could be defined by concrete national interests instead of abstract ideologies. They both said they would but aside there Cold War biases and look at the world with fresh eyes! Our friends, were turning into enemies.As president nixon insisted on a flexible, pragmatic foreign policy that avoided ideological absolutes.

Right when Nixon started he was determined to leave his own mark on the Nations international affairs. Nixon was a man of the world. He got easily fascinated by global politics and shifting alliances. Nixon even thought that his reorientation of American foreign policy would cement his legacy in the U.S History! Later on Nixon wanted to reach out to china He realized that establishing diplomatic relations with the Chinese communists would benefit the U.S.Improved relations would bring significant trade agreements, benefiting California and many more. With so much to gain and so little to lose, Nixon pushes ahead with his plans. It went through to work, and in 1979 the U.S and China established full diplomatic relations.

After we had to china, it prompted an immediate reaction from the soviet union! Which had strained both countries. Nixon announced plans to conduct a joint U.S - Soviet Union space mission. But at first they had to sign the SALT1. Salt 1 did not end the arms race between the U.S and soviet union, but it was a giant step toward that goal. With visits, China and the Soviet Union, coming within six months of each other, Nixon dramatically altered america's global strategry. In the long-term, Nixons forgein-policy breakthroughs moved the world a step closer to the end of the cold war!